Michelle

Noah's Child by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt Noah’s Child is a short book, just under 140 pages, and is part of a series about childhood and religion. It tells the story of Joseph, a 7 year old Jewish child separated from his parents when threatened by the Nazis. He ends up being taken to an orphanage, where he is instructed how to become someone else. He is looked after by Father Pons, whom, he discovers, has set out to collect and record all can about being a Jew. He tells Joseph he is trying to save it, in the same way that Noah saved humans and animals during the flood. Joseph and Father Pons develop a wonderful connection as he starts to help him. It is told from the point of view of Joseph himself, and it manages to portray how events may have been viewed by a child – on it’s surface it’s a simple story of survival, but the horrors are lurking underneath. There are also some lovely, simple discussions about religion and faith. It’s a short, simple story, but one which will touch and stay with you.

Lots of people adding it to their wish list, has anyone read it yet? I've just finished the sequel..

Thanks Andrea - strangely I enjoyed visualising the early stories. One review down! The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M Valente Another great cover, and another long title! ‘The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There‘ follows on from ‘The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making‘, which I reviewed last year. It’s probably not necessary to read the 1st, if you’ve picked up this one, but it would certainly add to the experience, so I would recommend going back if possible. Both books are quite difficult to describe, and I don’t think my reviews do them justice. They are, in essence, wonderful fairy stories, with some very imaginative creatures and characters. Catherynne’s style is very lyrical, and no matter what strange thing she is describing, the words seem to flow from the page. Most of the important characters from her earlier adventure are there, but are not themselves. In the world under Fairlyland, she meets their shadows, almost the same, but with differences – some subtle, some not so subtle. Her own shadow, taken from her during that first adventure, is in charge, and September feels that things are not right, and it’s up to her to put it right. Amongst the strangeness and magic, there are serious themes and truths, and this felt like a more grown up book than the 1st. September is now a young teenager, and throughout her adventure, she somehow manages to go through those usual teen thoughts and situations, including learning to think about others, her plans for her future, and her first kiss. I don’t see these books mentioned enough, and I think they have the potential to be future classics – younger readers will enjoy the magical strangeness, whilst those a little older will start to see a little deeper. There are many layers, and I’m sure I will find more on re-reading. Recommended for readers of all ages who enjoy falling into a book and getting lost there.

The beginning really wasn't what I expected, although I think it will go more that way now. However, I actually loved the first few stories he told, and one in particular was quite chilling!

A few reviews to catch up with tomorrow. Am presently reading Fractured, which is the follow up to Slated, a rather enjoyable YA. Audio, I've started the Martian Chronicles, which was in a sale on audible - it's really not what I was expecting, but is great anyway. Has anyone else read it? I've also come to the conclusion that I'm becoming rather fussy with my reading - if I'm not finding it really good, my mojo fights me all the way. Which is difficult when trying to read review books... I don't want to let the publishers down and not review it, but if it's not really interesting, I struggle to finish.

No! I loved the PJ books, and the film was nothing like I'd imagined it!

I really did enjoy it, and have just made a start on Vortex, the 2nd one. As for good YA, check out http://strangechemistrybooks.com/ - they're a brill YA imprint. Plus, I would always recommend Hunger Games and Divergent, if you haven't read those.

I would imagine it's too detailed for a smaller screen.

From the Transworld blog.. The bad news is that it's a £9.99 app. So, something for dedicated fans only, or do you think many will download? Will you?

I got mine from Audible, and the narration is lovely. I think it was one I enjoyed listening to, and I maybe wouldn't have continued if trying to read it.

Have just finished Rebecca as an audiobook. Whilst it was good, and I enjoyed the characters, I have to admit being a bit underwhelmed. Am really enjoying the Fairyland book, it has a more grown up feel than the first. Am not being very good at picking up my kindle, but I really must!

I love Jonathan Stroud, so I was very happy to hear he has a new book due later this year. The following is from the press release, and if I'm lucky enough to get an early copy, I shall be reporting here first!

Risingdawn, I moved an existing thread into this section, and merged it with yours.

It's always been like that with books - if I review an early copy, I have to wait to post up my review.

And again here - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/312-lisa-gardner/page__hl__gardner

Can you please use the search facility before making a new thread - there's a thread here already.... http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/6099-linwood-barclay/page__hl__linwood

Three reviews written this afternoon, which feel like they've taken hours! Mind you, that includes cross posting them, contacting the authors etc. Tempest - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11245-tempest-by-julie-cross/ A Gift of Time - http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11244-a-gift-of-time-a-familys-diary-of-cancer-rory-maclean/ Unexplained Phenomena - http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/the-mammoth-book-of-unexplained-phenomena-roy-bainton/ So far I'm at 6 books, which is not bad considering it's still January! Currently: Audio - Rebecca and The Man Who Rained Book - The Girl Who Fell Below Fairyland Kindle - The Holders

Tempest is the first in a YA trilogy, which I would say is aimed more at older teenagers – which also makes it great for us oldies too! I have to sadly admit that if I’d simply glanced at the cover, I would have dismissed this as yet another teen romance book – but once I realised it included time travel, I knew I had to give it a try – and I’m very glad I did! Our time traveller in Tempest is Jackson, a 19 year old living happily in 2009. Jackson has discovered that he can jump short distances into his past, but his actions there have no impact on the future. As is often said in the book, forget all you think you know about time travel! He and his friend Adam are carrying out small experiments to find out more about his abilities, and he’s enjoying being with his girlfriend Holly. This all changes when Holly is shot, and Jackson suddenly finds himself in 2007, apparently with no way back. In a short period of time he realises that there’s more to his father than he previously realised, and that he may be in a lot of danger. He sets out to befriend Adam once again, to gain his help, and to find Holly, who he originally met after 2007. It’s probably at this point where I felt the most muddled, but I soon settled into what was happening. Unfortunately this is also where for me the story slowed a little – too much time seems spent on Jackson and Holly’s relationship, although it does help you to realise how important their relationship is to him. After a while though the pace picks up again, and everything becomes quite complex.. but not confusing. Their are hints to what the next book will hold, and it all sounds rather exciting. Thankfully, for me at least, this wasn’t ‘yet another teen romance’ and yet the relationships, and emotions, are important to the story. The characters are realistic and well written, and I particularly loved the relationship between Jackson and his twin sister. There’s a bit of everything in this book, and it appeals to both male and female. Even with the slight slow down in the middle, I found myself constantly picking up this book, and my opinion of it has actually grown since reading it. It’s certainly not one of those books you put down and immediately forget about. As with the best trilogies, the main story is wrapped up without a massive cliffhanger, but there are enough hints to make you add the next one straight to your wishlist!

This is usually the sort of book I avoid, but I chose it particular one to review because the write up for it sounded interesting. Rory MacLean is a travel writer, and so the I found it well written, which I think is important. To me, this had just the right balance - it's very honest and open, but isn't all sugary and overly emotional. Has anyone else read this, or anything similar - are there any you recommend or would suggest be avoided?

These comments are always appreciated - a lot of time and money has gone into this place, but as I've said many times before, it would nothing without the lovely members who have found their way here.

Janet, read The Chrisalids please, it's my favourite Wyndham book!

We got off very lightly with the snow on Friday - didn't stop me getting very stressed at work, thinking I was going to get stuck there! lol We're getting our snow now, it's still fairly light, but is meant to get heavier. Then we'll have to see how it is in the morning, whether the schools are open, and whether I can drive in it. I'm like others here, my boss will not pay me if I can't make it in. Still, it's not worth having an accident.